Anyone who competes with a horse at FEI events knows that vaccinations are always crucial. As of 1 January 2026, an important change will come into effect. Until now, a correctly completed FEI passport was sufficient, but from 2026 this will no longer be enough. All influenza vaccinations of horses with an FEI passport must also be registered in the FEI HorseApp.
This digital registration will become a standard part of inspections at FEI events. If a vaccination is not recorded in the app, a horse may be refused entry, even if the paper passport appears to be in order.
Why this change?
The FEI aims to make vaccination records clearer and more reliable. Paper passports can be incomplete or difficult to read, whereas digital registration allows for fast and uniform checks.
The year 2025 will serve as a transition year, but from 1 January 2026, registration in the FEI HorseApp will be mandatory and actively checked.
What does this mean in practice?
Each influenza vaccination must be entered on the same day by the veterinarian in both the FEI passport and the FEI HorseApp. This cannot be corrected afterwards. It is therefore essential that your veterinarian knows the horse is an FEI horse, so the vaccination is correctly linked to the FEI profile.
Back to basics: the “primary vaccination”
Many issues arise due to errors in the so-called primary vaccination. This is the basic vaccination course a horse must complete in order to be eligible to compete at FEI events.
It consists of three influenza vaccinations: a first vaccination, a second vaccination given between 21 and 60 days later and a third vaccination administered within six months and 21 days after the second.
Only when all three vaccinations are administered correctly and within the required timeframes is the primary vaccination valid. If one vaccination is given too late, the entire series may need to be restarted.
Please note that different timeframes may apply for certain destinations. For example, for Doha, the second vaccination must be given between 21 and 42 days after the first vaccination. The third vaccination must then be administered within six months after the second.
It is also important that all three vaccinations are from the same vaccine brand. In other words, the same sticker must be used each time. If a different vaccine brand is used, the primary vaccination is invalid, even if all timeframes are respected.
After the primary course, regular boosters are required, usually every six months (with a margin of 21 days). In addition, FEI events apply the well-known 7-day rule: a horse may not compete if it has been vaccinated less than seven full days before the event.
International and intercontinental competitions: export rules are just as important
Those competing internationally or overseas must look beyond FEI regulations alone. FEI rules determine whether you are eligible to compete from a sporting perspective, but they say nothing about export and import requirements.
International travel often requires health certificates, and some countries impose additional conditions. For example, a horse may not be allowed to be vaccinated within a certain period before departure, such as within 14 days prior to a flight. These are not FEI rules, but export regulations, and they vary by country and situation.
This means that a vaccination administered perfectly in line with FEI rules can still cause problems during transport, border checks, or air travel. Especially when flying, it is essential to carefully coordinate vaccinations, competitions, and transport.
If you have any questions about this, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible. We are happy to review your situation with you and provide advice where needed.
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Be prepared
Mandatory registration in the FEI HorseApp is not a minor detail, but a change with real consequences. An administrative error can lead to exclusion, denied access to the stables, or missing a competition altogether.
Therefore, check now whether your horse’s vaccinations are correct: is the primary vaccination valid, are the boosters administered on time, and are all vaccinations correctly registered in the FEI HorseApp?
A small check today can prevent a lot of stress, costs, and disappointment later — and ensures you can enter the arena with peace of mind.
